Feeder Reassembly (UM2+/UM3)

Note: This is applicable to the Ultimaker 2+, Ultimaker 2 Extended+, Ultimaker 3, and Ultimaker 3 Extended feeder. Most often, feeder issues can be resolved by removing the bowden tube and spraying the feeder with canned air in order to clean out debris. If this does not resolve the feeding issue, and you can confirm that the bowden tube and nozzle are clean, then the feeder may need to be disassembled to check for larger debris. We recommend contacting Support to rule out bowden tube or nozzle issues before disassembling the feeder. The Ultimaker 3 series printers have 2 feeders, which are mirror images of one another. 

If you prefer video instructions, see here. Otherwise, proceed to the written instructions below.

Removing the Feeder from the Back Panel

1. First, you'll want to unseat the bowden tube from the feeder. It's held in place by a white or blue horseshoe-shaped clip, and a white collet. Slide the horseshoe shaped clip out sideways. Then, push down on the white collet while pulling up on the bowden tube.

2. The Ultimaker 2+ and Ultimaker 3 feeders are held in place by 1 screw at the top of the white feeder housing, and 1 at the bottom. These screws screw into a threaded nut embedded in the back panel. Use your 2mm hex head screwdriver or allen key to unscrew these 2 screws, and lift the feeder away. Set these 2 screws aside.

Disassembling the Feeder

1. Decrease the tension on the tension screw to make it easier to take the feeder apart and reassemble it. (This can be done before or after removing the feeder housing from the printer, as you prefer.) The tension indicator has been highlighted in red; when the central part is at the top, the feeder is at minimum tension.

2. Your feeder housing is held together by 4 screws in the corners of the white feeder box. Unscrew these 4 screws very carefully while holding the feeder; if you unscrew them too quickly, the feeder might burst apart and  you could lose one of the internal pieces.

3. Peel the two parts of the feeder apart carefully.

Reassembling the Feeder

1. If there is any ground up debris in the feeder, clean it out. Canned air works effectively to clean the knurled post on the feeder housing. When it is cleaned, begin reassembly.

2. Place the lever on the plastic post on the feeder housing through the hole in the lever. Position the white collet at the top of the feeder housing in the cut out, and the silver grommet in the cut out at the bottom. Place the white plastic spacer in the hole cut out for it; please note, some feeders may be solid instead of having this spacer and hole. These parts should all rest comfortably, as pictured below.

3. Next, set your white plastic tension indicator and screw in the spring, and place it in the feeder housing between the housing and the lever. There is a nut holding the screw in place on the tension indicator. If the screw and tension indicator do not fit comfortably in the feeder housing, screw the screw a little deeper into the nut by hand, to allow it more room.

4. Place the other half of your feeder housing back on the half you've been working on, and screw the two halves back together so they're flush.

5. Turn the tension indicator screw at the top of the feeder housing until the feeder tension indicator is in the middle position. 

Reinstalling the Feeder on the Back Panel

1. Screw the screws back into position at the top and bottom of the feeder. Make sure the feeder is flush with the back panel.

2. Push the bowden tube back into the collet at the top of the feeder, then slide the white or blue horseshoe shaped clip into position underneath the collet. This will lock the bowden tube in place.